Mulan

Mulan

Year: 1998

Runtime: 50 mins

Language: English

Directors: Susan Beak, Geoff Beak

WarAdventureAnimationFamily

Determined to bring honor to her family, Mulan lies her way into the army to protect her father.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Mulan (1998)

Trace every key event in Mulan (1998) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Invasion and mobilization begin

The Huns breach the Great Wall and threaten China. The Emperor orders a general mobilization, requiring one man from each family to join the Imperial Army. Fa Mulan hopes to bring honor to her family amid the looming war.

start of invasion Great Wall, China
2

Mulan's dream of honor and the matchmaker

Fa Mulan dreams of earning honor and finding a place among her people. She prepares to meet the matchmaker to demonstrate her fitness as a wife, hoping to please her family. However, she is deemed a disgrace after several mishaps, foreshadowing a path that defies tradition.

pre-conscription Fa family home / matchmaker's house
3

Conscripted father and Mulan's disguise

Fa Zhou is conscripted, leaving the family with fear for his safety. Mulan tries to dissuade him, but he insists on serving his country. To protect him, she cuts her hair, takes his sword and armor, and disguises herself as a man to enlist.

shortly after conscription Family home
4

Mushu awakens the ancestors

In the family temple, Mushu awakens the spirits of the ancestors. The Great Ancestor decides that a guardian dragon should guide Mulan and sends Mushu to wake him. After accidentally destroying the guardian statue, Mushu vows to redeem himself by aiding Mulan.

before training camp Fa family temple
5

Training camp and Mulan's disguise

Mulan arrives at the training camp under the name Fa Ping. Mushu provides encouragement and comic guidance as she adjusts to military life. She befriends fellow recruits Yao, Ling, and Chien-Po and begins hard training under Captain Li Shang.

start of training Training camp
6

Fake letter to spur the march

Mushu engineers a fake letter from Shang's father, General Li, ordering Shang to follow the main imperial army into the mountains. The ruse prompts reinforcements to march forward. The plan accelerates the campaign but foreshadows deadly consequences.

before march to mountains Training camp
7

Ambush on the mountain pass

As the soldiers march up a mountain pass, the Huns launch a surprise attack. Mulan uses a Huolongchushui cannon to trigger an avalanche, burying the enemy forces while she is badly injured in the assault.

during march Mountain pass
8

Revelation and expulsion

Shang and the soldiers discover Mulan's true sex while her wound is being tended. Shang spares her life but, following military protocol, expels her from the army and returns to report the Hun defeat.

after revelation Mountain pass
9

Warning to the Imperial City

Mulan heads to the Imperial City to warn Shang as the Huns storm the capital and seize the Emperor. She navigates the chaos to rally the defenses and prevent a total collapse.

during the siege Imperial City
10

Final battle atop the palace roof

In the climactic confrontation, Mulan lures Shan Yu onto the palace roof and disables him with his own sword. Mushu inflates the plan by using a skyrocket to send Shan Yu into a fireworks tower, killing him.

final battle Palace roof
11

Recognition and honor

The Emperor and the citizens praise Mulan for saving them from the Hun threat. She accepts the Emperor's crest and Shan Yu's sword but declines the offer to join the royal council, choosing her own path.

immediately after battle Imperial City
12

Return home and reunion

Mulan returns home to present the gifts to her father. He is overjoyed to have her back, and Shang arrives to share a meal, signaling a heartfelt reconciliation and future together.

after her return Mulan's home
13

Mushu's reinstatement and ancestral celebration

Mushu is reinstated as a Fa family guardian, and the ancestors celebrate Mulan's bravery and success. The family temple fills with pride as the guardians watch over the restored honor.

after victory Fa family temple

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 11:21

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These films are grouped by their shared emotional core: a medium-weight journey that balances thrilling action with sincere character growth. They maintain a hopeful, fast-paced tone where comedy lightens serious themes, resulting in a satisfying, heartfelt conclusion that validates the protagonist's personal sacrifices.

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Mulan Spoiler-Free Summary

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